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AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



BY 



'ALEX. 




PHILADELPHIA: 

J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. 

1873- 




J 






c- 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by 

J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



Lippincott's Press, 
Philadelphia. 






This little volume, now given to the public, was 
prepared for publication more than three years ago. 
Circumstances obliged me to lay it aside at that time, 
and the issuing of the same was abandoned. At the 
present time, however, I ask that it may be accepted 
and criticised gently, as it is only used by me as an 
introduction to another work. 

THE AUTHOR. 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



Ever since the Christian era the question of 
woman's rights and woman's work has been dis- 
cussed to a greater or less degree. The interven- 
ing years have served only to remodel the first 
question, presenting it in such a form as will adapt 
itself to the people of the present time. "There is 
nothing new under the sun," says Solomon, and 
when this very subject is divested of the surround- 
ings which time has thrown about it we find it no- 
thing more nor less than the query of former years. 
Meek housewives and tyrannical husbands, prudish 
spinsters and timid bachelors, mothers in Israel 
and Miss Nancy preachers, hold up their pious 
hands in horror, and cry out against this " innova- 
tion of woman's rights," as they term it, as if it 
were an unheard-of thing; and they place their 
objections upon the very ground that it is an in- 

(s) 



6 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

novation, and the world is being speedily turned 
topsy-turvy, having maintained an upright position 
until the present time. They believe everything 
in the Bible except that remark of the wise Solo- 
mon, above referred to. Poor ignorant souls ! it 
is not a "new thing under the sun," though it may 
be clothed in new garments. All peoples change 
their ideas of certain objects as they advance in 
civilization and intelligence, and, of course, seek 
new terms of appellation, to correspond to the 
times. In fact, every object changes before the 
minds of men as they progress, precisely as the 
scenery changes along a forest-path as we walk 
for pleasure ; and, as these changes occur, we seek 
new modes to convey a just and accurate impres- 
sion made upon our minds by the presentation of 
any object, however old or familiar it may be. 

It was customary among the ancients, and is cus- 
tomary now among uncivilized tribes, for women 
to perform the greater portion of all servile labor. 
Man demanded that she should serve him, — not 
only serve him, but provide for him while he was 
absent on the trail or seated in the council of war. 
The great object of his life was to be considered 
brave by his companions or followers, as the case 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. j 

might be. He deemed it beneath the dignity of 
man to soil his hands in toil, for this was regarded 
by him as woman's work ; and such service, her 
sphere. But with the Christian era and civilization 
there came a change. In the minds of men arose a 
question of the justice of this treatment of woman. 
u Is this in accordance with the strange, new doc- 
trine of the era, that woman was given to be a 
helpmeet and companion, instead of the slave, 
of man ? We must have been doing a griev- 
ous wrong if this be true, for we have placed 
the burdens upon her; and if we cannot remove 
them all, let us at least be willing to share her 
labors." Thus it was that the question of woman's 
rights and woman's sphere arose, and was decided 
in her favor. As year followed year, until cen- 
turies were numbered, the change went on, wher- 
ever the enlightening rays of Christianity were felt 
the burden was gradually lifted from her shoulders ; 
and now, since civilization has spread itself to the 
utmost parts of the earth, elevating woman, there 
is no reason, unless it exist in a narrow mind into 
which a ray of civilization has never penetrated, 
why woman should be considered in any way 
inferior to man. 



S AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

In free America this subject is again revived, 
and from every quarter comes the question, "What 
are her rights ?" But instead of any definite an- 
swer to the query, we hear only the echo, ** What 
are her rights ?" Men of talent have taken up the 
question and discussed it ably. Some have ac- 
z.zzzi z: "ztzzz. rie'.rs tzjiL. \:h zzzzsz- :: zzziz. 
proclaiming that in order to maintain these rights 
she must also have the right of suffrage. Women 
zz.z :.i. : :z:zi -he szzrr.t :he:ry. _:r.::' - : :: ~: i.z 
seem that all her rights are to be defended and 
v .-r:r.r= reerefsei thrr-gh z.± 'z ?!'.:: 7z'.'.:~:zz 
zzzzz 17Z-7s.z7.Zt ire c:r.der:»= z:.i z/.z±?.zz:~. z.z 
views, set forth in ponderous and threatening 
zzzzz.zs -".',-•-..:;'-_ z:t zzzzzzi z: _h: :ht z.z- 
i z " z:\~.z zt= ZJ7.Z :rzz::zz.zz.iz zzzzz.z z.z :~e~i_e 
5-_:drare: z:.z zzizz zzzzrzzzzz being s: ztir'.y 
balanced, we no longer have the simple ques- 
tion of woman's rights, but this one, " Shall she 
vote?" 

Wiry has this slight breath of agitation in- 
creased into such a storm of excitement? And 
why is the question still unanswered? It must 
be for the very reason that any momentous 
question cannot be decided until it has met and 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. g 

overcome all obstacles, all objections, and an- 
swered all the whys and wherefores. 

While many advocate the justice and propri- 
ety of the ballot being extended to woman, 
many others tell us with a profound and know- 
ing shake of the head, that if this privilege be 
granted her, she will be called upon to perform 
acts that lie outside the boundary line. Why 
is not this woman's sphere ? Is it because Dr. 
Todd says that "woman is an angel," and must 
not soil her wings ? or because Dr. Bushnell says 
" she cannot govern," and " is ignorant of the 
power of her influence" ? If these reasons are 
not enough to convince the world that this is 
not woman's sphere, we will quote another reason 
from an eminent divine: "It isn't woman's sphere 
because it isn't, and that is sufficient." Profound 
reasoners ! before setting forth a single premise 
the conclusion is given, — deduced from what ? 
From some foolish ideas of propriety peculiar to 
many of the opposite sex. Had these very men, 
in their private walks in life, carried out their 
views of propriety, woman would have had no 
cause to seek redress through the ballot or by 
any other means. Some men talk of woman's 

2 



IO AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

sphere and write of woman's sphere, setting forth 
the boundary line, and prescribing it with as 
much self-confidence and precision as though 
they had just received a revelation from God 
himself as to what and where is her sphere : and 
invariably narrowing it down to washing, baking, 
and ironing on one day; baking, washing, and 
ironing on the next; ironing, baking, and wash- 
ing on the third; and so on through all their 
possible combinations and permutations until she 
reaches the end of her mortal existence, and 
bestows a last fond look upon wash-tubs, hus- 
band, and kneading-trough. Or, they may limit 
her sphere to staying at home, preparing her 
lord's food, caring for his children, and, as a 
slight token of reward, receiving whatever abuse 
may be heaped upon her by her protector. This 
makes up the grand sum and total of her exist- 
ence, so it would seem. But who gave thee au- 
thority and power, O man ! to lay down the 
boundary line that is to circumscribe her sphere, 
saying, "thus far shalt thou go and no farther"? 
Woman has listened to these words too long 
already for her own comfort. Not even Bush- 
nell's " Reform against Nature," with its many 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. n 

sugar-coated pills, can prove to woman that 
silence on her part can longer be considered a 
virtue. He tells us that woman lacks the Divine 
aid that would enable her to comprehend the 
great influence which she exerts, leaving us to 
infer that did she possess this aid she would be 
content in any sphere and under all circumstances. 
Was not the learned divine obliged to take a 
long leap over his brothers of the masculine 
persuasion, in order to apply this remark to 
woman ? The actions of public men would cer- 
tainly lead us to infer that the Divine aid which 
we must suppose them to possess has not been 
called into use, or is not the genuine article. 
Far better is it to exert a noble influence un- 
wittingly, than knowingly to live a life of super- 
ficial goodness, in spite of the noble influences 
thrown about them. 

Let us now divest this question of suffrage of 
every argument for or against the same, and con- 
sider candidly and honestly only the right woman 
has to the ballot, the right she has to vote, in spite 
of the advantages or disadvantages that may fol- 
low. Suppose a man sickens and dies. Before 
his death his lawyer is called, and a will is drawn 



I2 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

up, conveying all his property, both personal and 
real, to his wife. When this will is duly executed 
it becomes a valid article; and upon the death 
of the husband, the widow becomes a property- 
holder, taking upon herself all the responsibilities 
of a male property-holder. Now, according to the 
theories of the Anti-Female-Suffrage party, this 
widow has divested herself of all her "womanly 
delicacy" in putting on the widow's weeds ; in 
other words, she has stepped from her sphere and 
passed over into one before occupied by man, but 
in matters of taxation she has no voice. Suppose 
this same widow becomes weary of city life, and 
purchases a country home in some quiet township, 
in which the number of voters is limited to a hun- 
dred or more, a'll of whom work in a factory, or 
own small farms in its immediate vicinity. Our 
widow, being wealthy, purchases the mill and all 
the land and building connected thereto, and she, 
true to the spirit of all monopolists, is not satis- 
fied until the little farms, one by one, have passed 
into her hands, and the small township is all her 
own. Now, is her position the same as it would 
be were she a man, so far as the making of the 
laws of that place is concerned? If a freshet 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



13 



should come and damage the roads and bridges 
of the town, and she thought best to fix them in a 
secure, but economical and labor-saving manner, 
could she even have a voice in the laying of 
taxes, which she herself, as the only property- 
holder, must inevitably pay ? She cannot be 
heard at the General Assembly, however griev- 
ous the wrong imposed upon her, by her own em- 
ployees, may be. She cannot legally say a word 
as to the disposal of one cent of her own money 
that the town may appropriate for its own benefit : 
a man in her position, and in every respect save 
sex, and yet in no way entitled to control her own 
interests. It is a very easy matter for men to 
vote large appropriations, knowing that they 
themselves are free from any large tax; but is 
it right for the woman who must pay the amount 
appropriated to be denied the right of a voice 
in such matters ? Has the matter of taxing fe- 
male property-holders ever been discussed to 
such an extent that one man has retorted to 
another, Woman must not pay taxes, because 
it is not her sphere ? Has government ever 
interposed in her behalf, saying that she has 
had no voice in making the laws which con- 

2* 



I 4 AS SHE WOULD HAVE II. 

trol property, and how are we to suppose she 
has become acquainted with the same? No, 
every woman, however learned or ignorant she 
may be of the laws of the State and country, 
must pay the usual tax on taxable property. If 
she were the only property-holder in the State, the 
same would be demanded. Is this just? Has 
woman no right to a voice in making those laws 
which are so intimately connected with her own 
well-being? Though the laws laid down by man 
are in direct opposition to her wishes, yet there is 
nothing left for her but obedience and silence. It 
is true that men, claiming to be the protectors of 
woman, say that she has no need to have recourse 
to the ballot, — that it is much safer in their hands, 
— their natural protectors. 

It may be that one-fifth of the women in the 
world have never had protectors, and that another 
fifth have, by death, been deprived of them, while 
two of the remaining three-fifths might as well 
trust their interests to the tender mercies of a band 
of highwaymen as to those who style themselves 
their protectors. Dr. Todd confidently assures the 
first two-fifths that it is their duty to provide them- 
selves with protectors, or " go to work," while the 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 15 

other class are to bear with Christian resignation 
all that is put upon them. 

Must a woman who stands alone in the world 
trust interests of vital import to her next-door 
neighbor, who is a mortal enemy to her? And 
all because it is thought beyond woman's sphere 
to take an active part in the formation of those 
things which are for the controlling of her interests. 

The same may be said of the laws carried into 
execution for the punishment of crime. Woman 
has no voice in the making and adopting of these 
laws ; and are they for the punishment of man 
only? No; woman is subject to the same penalty 
which follows the violation of law. I do not say 
that woman's vote would materially change these 
laws ; but the question is, whether, without an 
active voice, woman must pay the penalty. 

Some tell us that women are not the only class 
who suffer punishment because they have violated 
laws in the making of which they had no part nor 
lot. Men under the age of twenty-one suffer a like 
penalty for the same crime, whatever it may be. 
True, but why have young men under the stated 
age had no voice in the laws ? Simply because 
the law-makers consider them unqualified to take 



16 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

upon themselves the great responsibilities that 
attend the ballot. The last day of his twenty-first 
year he is looked upon as a boy ; but before the 
dawn of the first day of his twenty-second year 
the great change has taken place, and he awakes 
to find himself a man. What miracle has, in the 
twenty-four hours, supplied the needful wisdom? 

But can men stand up and boldly affirm that a 
woman, of no matter what age or condition, is 
always incompetent to cast a ballot ? It is even so. 
In what respect is she unfitted for this act ? Both 
physically and mentally. Such being the case, 
we will proceed to consider woman's physical 
inability to vote. 

As far as the holding of property, paying of 
taxes, and obedience to laws are concerned, woman 
is in all truth entitled to vote. It is the right of a 
person acting individually and independently for 
herself. If this be admitted as a fact, then the right 
of suffrage is refused, out of fear that if the first 
right be granted all others must be given up. It 
is refused, however, upon the ground that if a 
woman takes upon herself this right, she must 
accept the responsibilities attending it, and be 
willing to perform man's work, which she cannot 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



17 



do. But is the simple act of casting a ballot to 
carry her beyond her sphere ? One says " yes," 
for she must take upon herself the accompany- 
ing duties of the ballot, the performance of which 
requires strength greater than she possesses. 

Must this result necessarily follow? must she 
shoulder a gun and go out upon the battle-field 
when her country calls ? must she plant, cultivate, 
and reap ? If such be the case, — -allowing her a 
sufficiency of strength, — then men must stay at 
home and perform woman's work. This is their 
suggestion; and if a woman must accept this sug- 
gestion in order to obtain the ballot, then man 
must accept the position into which he invites 
himself. This must inevitably follow if the plan 
be carried out. 

Woman does not lay claim to the ballot for the 
purpose of obtaining the privilege of doing man's 
work, nor does she wish to use suffrage as a 
stepping-stone to official stations. She does not 
seek the right, as an avenue through which she is 
to escape from her woman's high and holy re- 
sponsibilities, however weighty they may be, and 
thus throw the burden of woman's care upon 
man ; but rather to elevate and widen her own 



18 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

sphere, while she can the better secure justice to 
herself. 

Suffrage may be granted to woman in all 
safety without necessitating a greater tax upon 
her time and attention than the same right 
demands from two-thirds of the men. Mer- 
chants, doctors, lawyers, ministers, teachers, and 
men of many other professions do not spend 
their time at the ballot-boxes, or in reading 
treatises on politics and law. Would the same 
right demand more of woman? Would it ne- 
cessitate that every woman become a politician ? 
We think not. 

I admit that the American women of the pres- 
ent time have not sufficient strength for the 
performance of severe labor; but this is no 
reason why they may not acquire the strength 
needed. No one has any authority to say that 
woman can never do this or that on account of 
physical weakness ; for women of ancient times 
proved to us what exercise and pure air can do. 
Drop the subject here for a moment, and go 
back with me to the late war in our own land. 
What did woman do then? Had she no lot or 
part in the great struggle? Who was it that 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. ig 

with heroic self-abnegation spent day after day 
and night after night in putting together the 
" soldier's blue," and when the great army was 
formed, still kept up the brave work ? Nor was 
it in putting together the army blue alone, for 
women at the South went beyond this in braving 
toil and fatigue. Many a woman who had been 
reared in luxury and tenderness proved herself 
equal to the emergency, and equaled the women 
of the Revolution in endurance, carding the 
cotton, and spinning it with hands all unused to 
labor, — sewing and knitting from early morning 
until the small hours came round again. North- 
ern women labored and sacrificed and took unto 
themselves much glory; but when we look at 
the record of those heroic women at the South, 
who labored with such zeal in a mistaken cause, 
we can but blush that our Northern women will 
speak of sacrifice. It has been said that if the 
women of the South had been fighting the battles 
the war would not have been ended to this day, 
so great was the heroism and fortitude they ex- 
hibited. One old lady, who had coined all her 
silver into money to help carry on the struggle, 
given her carpets and other household furniture 



20 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

to be devoted to army use, was called upon to 
furnish some blankets for the sick soldiers. She 
brought forward the last one in the house, and 
gave it, telling them it was all she had. Hearing 
this, they remonstrated with her for giving it, and 
told her to keep it for her own use. But she 
would not listen to this, and urged it upon them, 
saying, with a brave smile on her face, " I may as 
well give my last blanket, since I have given seven 
sons to the army." 

But to return : when help was needed in the 
hospitals, did woman, tender though she be, 
shrink from this great, new field of labor? Whose 
delicate hands nursed to health many a stricken 
one, who, if that very care had not been received, 
would never have answered the roll-call again? 
Who smoothed the dying pillow of many a poor 
boy with words of peace and holy comfort, and 
when the death summons was at hand received 
the last message for mother, sister, wife, or 
daughter? Ay, woman was there, firm and un- 
shrinking amid the sickening scenes that met 
her on every hand. No high-sounding praise 
went out in her honor; but those who were 
there will bear testimony that there was many 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 2 I 

a General Grant in courage among those women. 
While he led his army to victory or death, they 
led souls to victory over death, and it is written, 
" Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the 
least of these, ye have done it unto me." Men who 
returned to us unscathed by the fire of war have 
been praised and extolled, which is right; but 
not a word of sympathy has gone out to the 
thousands of women who then gave their all, 
and have since toiled on their weary way alone. 
And whether the brave boys themselves who fell 
in the fight, meeting death face to face, have left 
a more glorious record than these very women, 
who in their husband's, father's or brother's 
death lost their entire dependence and support, 
but have since lived lives of patient toil, suffer- 
ing, endurance, and faith, God knoweth. 

Though there were these women who, during 
the war, proved themselves capable of enduring 
inordinate demands upon their physical strength, 
we must admit that seven-tenths of the women of 
our land could not have endured the test. We 
are blind, indeed, if we cannot see that woman 
is fast degenerating in physical power; and the 
very fact of degeneration proves that there must 

3 



22 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

be a remedy. If physical inability is to prevent 
woman from exercising her rights, it behooves us 
to look about us and see if there be not a cure 
for this evil. Many, who bring up woman's con- 
stitutional delicacy as a proof why she has no right 
to the ballot, claim that she has ever been wisely 
shut out from this sphere of action because of this 
very incompetency. This is a novel feature of the 
case; for facts, indisputable, have taught us to 
believe that woman was not always thus tender, 
or thus tenderly shielded. We have only to bring 
up from history and from memory the women of 
other countries and the early inhabitants of New 
England, and compare their physical powers with 
those of the women of the present day, in order to 
perceive at once the fact of degeneration. Daily, 
proofs place beyond a doubt the truth of this 
statement. In our homes we see daughters utterly 
incapable of performing the tasks their mothers 
have performed; while in the streets we meet 
hundreds of pale, sickly creatures whose strength 
is taxed to the utmost in taking that exercise 
which is necessary to keep the vital spark alive ; 
and all this for lack of proper physical culture. 
Why is this so ? Why in this land of freedom, 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 23 

which nature has beautified, placing therein myri- 
ads of voices which call for physical exercise, that 
half the world, closing ear and eye, sits down in a 
dumb and helpless way; or, turning from these 
enticing voices, seeks a place among a city full, 
whore art and fashion metamorphose nature's 
children; or where unwholesome air and un- 
wholesome exercise, in dark and crowded rooms, 
send them to untimely graves ? 

God created us in his own likeness, and placed 
us in the hands of nature, whose laws, typifying 
his own, are immutable. God revealed in nature 
was to be ever present with us, communing with 
us in a thousand ways ; but we have left the roof 
and fireside of our foster-mother, and have gone 
over to ways of our own device. 

It is not mother nature's fault. She calls to 
us as of yore, but we will not hear. Her hills, 
crowned with morning's glory, call to early rising ; 
and the mountains echo to their voices. She trails 
her lightest clouds over us, and commissions her 
winds to fan us in the heated noontide ; while at 
eventide she bathes and cools the weary multitude 
with generous dews. She carpets the rough earth 
for our feet, and sets her to flowering here and 



24 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



there for our delight, enticing us by the almost 
audible harmony of her blended hues. She sends 
her streams gleaming and dancing- on their way 
to the sea, — she sets her sweet singers to warbling 
in the bushes, and gathers about us millions of 
beautiful forms of inferior life. She sends her 
chastened autumn with its sweet tones wooing us 
to restful shades and quiet groves. She spreads 
before us the white mystery of winter, whose 
bracing breezes promise the healthful glow to 
cheek and the sparkle to the eye. 

She does not forget the needful sternness at 
times, and often gives us lessons teaching us the 
wisdom of obedience. She brings us face to face 
with merciless penalties now and then, if we are 
her adopted children. She never interrupts the 
rule of gravity for our sake ; and fire must con- 
tinue to burn, if it do burn us ; and water must 
continue to suffocate, though a world full be 
drowned; and poisons must remain poisons; and 
malarias, malarias; and contagions, contagions; 
and every other law of nature must remain the 
same, and we must abide by them all, however 
cruel they may seem. And so by mingled caress 
and scourge she does what she can for us, so 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 25 

drawing us out and bettering us in every way that 
we always think of her with a warm feeling at the 
heart, and say Amen ! when poets sing and make 
the earth resonant with eulogies upon her name. 
We are half ready to join in the idolatry when 
men call her divine, and build shrines in her honor. 

Are we so blind to all these blandishments of 
nature that we will voluntarily immure ourselves 
within dark, stern walls, instead of seeking health 
and happiness where God designed them to be 
found ? Yes, it is so. We place our highest 
interests beneath our feet in the great struggle 
to keep up with the world. 

A false notion of woman's work, of propriety, 
and the requirements of fashionable life, has already 
undermined the constitutions of a majority of the 
female population. Young girls are educated in 
the idea that if they are ever to become dependent 
on their own exertions they must seek some very 
lady-like employment, — teaching music, French, 
painting, or, it may be, acting as clerks in gov- 
ernment or private employ ; remembering, all the 
while, that their work is to lie exclusively in-doors; 
but they are on no account to go into the country 
and soil their hands in housework, where fresh air 

3* 



26 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

and healthful exercise would soon give a color to 
the cheek, an energy and vivacity to the manner, 
which would be envied by many a city belle. And 
why ? All because public opinion will set them 
down among the class of servants. I once heard 
a young lady remark that w T ere she obliged to pro- 
vide for herself, she would die before she would 
do housework ; while at the same time she was 
the veriest slave to " what the world would think." 

It is true that a great many of the women of 
this country are thrown upon the resources accru- 
ing from their own labors. Most of them are quite 
well educated, and refuse all employment unless it 
be of a high stamp, and something that will not 
place them under the critical scrutiny of public 
opinion. Hence they barter everything to retain 
their hold on society and wear the semblance of 
independence. Could we but get a peep into their 
perplexed craniums now and then, when each one 
is holding a consultation with her own particular 
self as to ways and means, the expediency of this 
or that, the " robbing of Peter to pay Paul," in 
order to make both ends meet, we should con- 
sider her condition as anything but independent. 

The women who are not obliged to provide 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



2 7 



for themselves, but are carefully provided for, are 
required to discard nature and short dresses at 
the same time ; and with dawning womanhood — 
which is their advent into society — they discard 
sun and breeze, and devote their wits and energies 
to getting up a complexion. Thus it is that pride 
and mistaken notions of propriety common among 
the rich, and the confining labors that necessity 
lays upon the poor, change health into slow, ling- 
ering diseases ; still, it is a fact worthy of note 
that a majority of invalids is found among the 
wealthier classes of people, and that this number 
is gradually increasing, proving that idleness and 
inactivity have much to do with the change. Let 
us, for a moment, consider the causes which may 
be found in the customs and habits of the rich, 
which are producing the evils above alluded to. 
If we go back to the early settlement of Amer- 
ica, we find woman in plain circumstances, long- 
ing to breathe the pure, untainted air of freedom. 
These women were strong ; and often with willing 
hands worked day after day by the husband's 
side, aiding him to rear the structure which was 
henceforth to be their home. It was considered 
no disgrace then that the hands were hardened by 



28 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

labor and burned by the sun, or that God's pure 
air was breathed with uncovered heads. In the 
early morning, before the sun had peeped into the 
settlement, the prattling of busy tongues, and the 
tread of busy feet, were heard, for the labors of the 
day were commenced. The women were strong, 
with the color and form which art is now called 
upon to supply. Nature's laws were obeyed, and 
healthful beauty was the result. As scores of years 
passed away, children were called upon to take the 
places made vacant by fathers and mothers who 
had labored so unselfishly to establish a home 
for them. Posterity carried on the work until 
wealth crowned their efforts, and the little settle- 
ments were extended far and wide throughout 
the country, thus enlarging the resources of the 
people. With accumulating wealth came a curse, 
however, in the shape of fashion with its follies, 
which has ruined many, and is daily ruining thou- 
sands more. The right and wrong of fashion is 
ever calling for the enforcement of some natural 
law, and the penalty for violation appended there- 
to. Fashion, as it exists, was never intended to 
go hand in hand with nature, else her commands 
would not cause nature to call continually for 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 29 

justice. There must have been a first trans- 
fer; and his sins have been visited upon his 
children to the third and fourth generation. In 
addition to this, the sins of each succeeding gen- 
eration have swelled the tide of suffering. In 
other words, physical weakness is hereditary; this 
weakness among the poorer class of females is 
regarded as a great misfortune, and the child so 
afflicted is looked upon with sorrow, and termed, 
an " ailing child" ; while among the rich the 
mother looks upon her sickly daughter, and with 
a smile partly of pride, partly of solicitude, speaks 
of her as " very delicate." Parents lead a life of 
fashionable folly and dissipation, live but for them- 
selves, — live in the present, — forgetting that their 
offspring, as a part of themselves, must be like 
them, suffering, often, in dwarfed and deformed 
bodies. They little think of this ; or, if they do, 
it is but for the moment. They really spend day 
after day and year after year in paving their chil- 
dren's way to the grave. 

The desires of the child are moulded oy the 
circumstances about it; and it is early taught to 
satisfy the yearnings of its young heart in hurt- 
ful pleasures. The future of such children is 



3 o AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

plainly marked out: instead of women with 
physical, mental, and moral strength, we have 
thousands with deformed bodies, dwarfed intel- 
lects, and corrupted morals. One thing that 
ruins so many female constitutions is, that the 
fashionable education is commenced long before 
the child should leave the childhood life of free- 
dom and out-door play. The little girl is taught 
what experience alone should teach ; the young, 
buoyant, happy nature is brought within the pre- 
scribed bounds, though to do so it is crushed 
out forever. She can no longer join in childish 
plays and frolics, because, henceforth, she is to 
be a young lady. The sunbeams and shadows 
may sport about her, she must not venture a 
chase with them; the birds may twitter in the 
branches above her head, or call to her from the 
forest in their most enticing songs, which are 
strangely mixed up with the fragrance of wild 
flowers, yet she must not heed them. Memories 
of soft green mosses and shady nooks invite her 
forth, but she must put away these dear mem- 
ories without venturing a look at the places of - 
yesterday's sports, so near and yet so far. 

Just here commences the physical degenera- 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 31 

tion of many a young girl. Give them God's 
sun, — and surely it was made for them, — and allow 
them the privilege of out-door play and exercise 
just so long as they take it willingly; and even 
if they do not wish it, oblige them to spend a 
portion of each day in the open air. Deprive a 
blade of grass of sunlight and air, and it becomes 
almost colorless, being correspondingly frail ; so 
is it with the child deprived of sunlight and 
pure air: it becomes frail and delicate, having 
so little vitality that a slight cause will deprive 
it of the little it possesses, — sickly and puny, it 
needs that which no curtained room and tender 
nursing can give; and without that, which its 
nature demands, it must remain as it is, — years 
will but bring it a succession of ills and evils 
to which flesh is heir. 

As the years come on, the young lady is 
rushed into a whirl of fashionable excitement. 
Night after night is spent in crowded rooms 
where love of display reigns supreme, and where 
thousands worship at the shrine of fashion ; even 
though health and life itself be sacrificed in the 
effort. The very attire of the young lady shows 
how obediently she follows in the moving throng, 



32 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

each panting for the word which marks her for 
the belle of the evening. The night over, the 
morning finds her tossing in restless slumber on 
her bed. Can any one retain health and strength 
when nightly the life-blood is being sapped 
away, drop by drop, by this unnatural excite- 
ment? Unrefreshed, she arises at midday, worn 
and fatigued, only to prepare herself for another 
night of dissipation. Night was given us for the 
refreshing of the body and preparation for the 
labors of the coming day ; and this night cannot 
be converted into day unless nature perform the 
miracle. Whoever attempts the change receives 
his punishment at nature's hands. 

Could every person have a thorough knowl- 
edge of the secret workings of this life-principle 
within us, a knowledge of the peculiarly delicate 
mechanism of our physical structure, and be 
brought to know, withal, how nicely nature has 
adjusted all her laws to suit our needs, me- 
thinks much pain and misery might be avoided; 
but this all-essential thing forms no part of the 
fashionable education which ladies now receive, 
— and just here lies a great mistake, though not 
the first, in the education of children. They 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 33 

should be taught from early childhood to re- 
gard their bodies as a sacred trust from God. 
They should be taught that they are to be held 
responsible for the use or abuse of that temple 
which God holds so sacred as to make the dwell- 
ing-place of an immortal spirit. O mothers ! 
the trust committed to your keeping is the 
most sacred God ever committed into the hands 
of humanity; and see well to it, labor dili- 
gently, lest at some time the child may rise 
in judgment against you, saying you betrayed 
your trust. 

There was a time in the history of America 
when the term lady was applicable to every 
true and noble-hearted woman. But now, all 
through erroneous views instilled into the minds 
of our young ladies, any female who can lay claim 
to a fine figure, a brow that would rival the 
snow in whiteness, who is accomplished in all 
the fashionable arts, and is able to dress in the 
latest style, no matter how devoid of genuine 
common sense, is called a lady; while true, 
noble women are regarded as old fashioned and 
prudish, — fit only for the companionship of old 
people and invalids. 

4 



34 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



The world at best is but a great auction- 
room, where exacting papas and manoeuvring 
mammas place their daughters to be sold to 
the highest bidder. Love is seldom known. 
It matters not if the purchaser be as brainless 
as the object purchased, — rendered so by dissi- 
pation, — provided the deficiency be made up in 
solid weight, — ay, in solid weight of pounds and 
shillings. 

It has been stated that the reason why so 
many women remain unmarried is, because they 
will not marry men unless they have sufficient 
wealth to support them as ladies, — which means, 
without labor. There is much truth in the state- 
ment, though it has evidently been exaggerated. 

Look at the young men of the present day, 
and tell me what earthly inducement they pre- 
sent to win a young lady's regard. They deem 
it beneath their dignity to gain their own live- 
lihood in any way save that which might prop- 
erly be called woman's work. Their dress must 
be of the most fashionable cut, and with horses, 
wines, cigars, and billiards, they can scarcely . 
clear themselves from debt. I can only think of 
puppets strung on wires: they are placed on 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 35 

life's great stage and dance about for a time, 
then disappear, unmourned and unregretted, — 
the only feeling is of relief, for the world is 
better without them. 

What great inducement is offered to any 
woman to join herself for life to a man of such 
extravagant habits and addicted to vicious 
sources of amusement? The only inducement 
offered to a woman, if she be rich, is a safe 
investment of her money, — where neither she or 
her friends can draw principal or interest; or, 
if the lady be poor and obliged to support 
herself, being possessed of much benevolence 
and magnanimity, she can take to herself a hus- 
band, and relieve the public of a burden. To 
this charitable enterprise she can most assidu- 
ously devote herself as long as she can eke out 
her little store of strength. Better is it for any 
woman to keep herself free from such entangle- 
ments, and if she have an humble employment, 
be thankful for what she has. 

Then, too, young men devoid of both brains 
and money have fastidious tastes. A plain farm- 
er's son, who belonged to this class, once re- 
marked that he would never marry a girl who 



36 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

had in any way labored to support herself, — he 
would marry a lady, or remain single for life. 
We foresee a future for this young man not 
wholly devoid of domestic broils and infelicities. 
And so, to please the men, women will deny 
themselves the very things that give them 
health and strength. Among the rich and poor 
there is a universal desire among women to 
make themselves attractive in the eyes of men. 
There is much complaint about the extravagance 
of women ; but men have no right to censure 
the very evil which they encourage and cultivate. 
It is to please their fastidious tastes that women 
strain every nerve, and devote hours and days 
to the great question of what will make them 
most attractive. They know full well that a 
fashionable toilet and an elegant figure are the 
only passports to matrimony. No young man, 
at this day, and in this fast age, will for one mo- 
ment entertain the idea of marrying a woman 
who allows the social circle in which she moves 
to so far outstrip her in fashion that her own 
sex will not dare to recognize her in the street ; 
or whose means are so limited, her pride not 
allowing her to become a burden upon her 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



37 



friends, that her outfit bears an unmistakable 
odor of Noah's ark. Foolish women ! and self- 
conceited men ! too late will your eyes be 
opened to your own folly. If men would but 
look for healthful beauty and native grace, in- 
stead of fashion's painted butterflies, whose 
ephemeral existence makes no place the better 
for its presence, there would soon be a reform in 
accordance with nature. Girls who had been 
taught to believe that matrimony is the great 
object of existence would rouse themselves from 
their indolent habits and become women. 

Let women have free and out-door exercise that 
shall require early rising; and when the pure 
morning air brings the flush of health to their 
cheeks, let them be thankful. Not until a great 
reform takes place among the American people, 
can either men or women possess the health 
which should be theirs. 

But how is it among the poorer class? We 
hear men complaining to their wives of the labors 
and fatigues of the day, never giving a thought to 
what they may have endured. A mechanic, for 
instance, has a wife and several children ; to him 
his family look for sustenance. He leaves his 
4* 



38 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

home at seven o'clock in the morning, and works 
until six o'clock at night, with an hour of rest at 
noon. He knows each day just what his work 
is to be, — just the amount to be done, — he has to 
work just so many hours, no more nor less; and 
when the clock strikes six, he is free, he can now 
sit down with the knowledge that his day's work 
is done, and rest. True, he earns the money that 
supports the family, but does the wife do nothing? 
Can she sit down at six o'clock and say her work 
is finished ? The husband goes to work at an 
early hour ; but, long before that time, the wife 
must be at work to get an early breakfast; and 
even after he is in bed she must sit and toil at her 
thankless task of mending the children's clothes, 
it being the only time she has had for this work, 
none during the long, long day. It is often the case 
that time is not the only necessity for her spend- 
ing the evening hours in repairing damages. One 
suit each for the children demands that they be 
safely tucked in bed before the work can be 
carried on to advantage. So she labors from 
before sunrise until long after sunset, and earns 
no money; while her husband, at his work, allows 
his mind to turn often to the quiet home scene, 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



39 



where the wife is pictured in his fancy as taking 1 " 
her ease in the " great arm-chair, " — this is the 
only picture which his sluggish mind can conjure 
up, — and a feeling of envy rises in his heart, which 
quickly resolves itself into pity for himself. Aside 
from all the labor which the woman performs, she 
often finds herself literally the head of the family, 
without any voluntary act of her own. It is 
not unfrequently the case that the whole manage- 
ment of affairs devolves upon her. She does all the 
marketing, — which the husband is always sure he 
could attend to with much more profit, though he 
is always too busy to try the experiment. • This 
involves no small degree of labor, aside from the 
constant w r orry which comes from trying to keep 
evenly balanced between two extremes: namely, 
to make both ends meet, and at the same time 
meet the approval of her lord's palate. Her work 
is of such a nature as to prostrate the whole 
system in a short time. She has no recreation, 
no pleasant pastime, to relieve the monotony of 
her life. There is no shady nook in all her 
heated, toilsome way, where she can drop her 
burden and rest for awhile. Each morning a 
world of care seems waiting her first wakeful 



4 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

moment, ready to drop upon her tired and un- 
rested shoulders. The work of the day looms up 
before her in such a formidable pile, that it seems 
to her a dozen hands, were they at her disposal, 
could not perform the whole; even were wings 
added, she^ could not keep pace with the much 
there is to do. 

Need we wonder that woman's physical strength 
gives way under such a tax? It is said by men 
that liberal rights cannot be granted to women, 
because they have no business tact, that they 
cannot, in fact, understand business, and have no 
business to ask for rights. Is it a more difficult 
task, or one that requires more tact, for a million- 
aire, whose business arrangements are resolved 
into machinery, with his head clerks and under 
clerks, his lawyers and agents, to manage his 
affairs, than it is for the mother of six children — 
an average number — to navigate her little bark so 
carefully as to steer clear of every Charybdis and 
Scylla ? Surely, here is cause enough for invalids 
among the poor. 

But why this sacrifice? Love for her husband 
and children, while duty marks out the way. 
Men may talk of the strength of their love, and 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



41 



the magnitude of the sacrifices they make; but it 
has never entered into the heart of man to con- 
ceive of the hidden mystery of woman's heart and 
its powers of endurance. Love is a woman's life, 
— it is a part of herself; while with man it is a 
thing entirely apart from self, and can be cast 
aside at any time, or crushed beneath his feet. 
Husbands, remember that encouraging words and 
pleasant smiles are treasures to the wife who, all 
for love of you, is sacrificing her every desire to 
make home comfortable. Remember, too, that 
every care or burden from which you shrink 
is cast aside only to fall upon her shoulders. 
Could you know how her heart, throbbing only 
with love for you, anxiously awaits, your coming, 
longing for a smile, — a caress, — and what bitter 
pangs are experienced at its refusal, you would 
not so soon allow the lover's fondness to give 
place to the husband's carelessness and indif- 
ference. You who talk so much of the physical 
inability of woman to perform an act which does 
not require any increase of physical strength, see 
well to it that you do not increase the inability 
rather than the ability. 

Could such a woman's work for a day be con- 



42 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

densed into one whole, the sum total of steps, 
man would be astonished to see how far her 
labor exceeds his own. Still, physically, she is 
incompetent to vote. 

We cannot see how it must follow, of a ne- 
cessity, that if woman is endowed with the right 
of suffrage, she must take upon herself this work 
or that, these duties or others ; nor do we see 
how anything of the kind must follow as a 
necessary consequence. If such be the case, 
which Heaven forbid, then man must take up 
woman's work. A young man who is established 
in business, or has a course of life well marked 
out for himself before he is twenty-one, is not 
required to change the even tenor of his way 
as soon as the ballot becomes his right. Is it 
not just as probable that a man must take upon 
himself woman's work as soon as he enters upon 
his twenty-second year, and secures the ballot, 
as that woman must take upon herself man's 
labor if the right of suffrage is given her ? 

Do the men who have had so much to say 
about this subject carry the hod, descend into the 
mine, or perform the more servile tasks ? No ; 
they are men who know but little about labor 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



43 



of any kind, and the same may be said of the 
majority of men. Their vocations are by no 
means severe, while the few toil and labor. If 
this be the case, can it be expected that every 
woman will be called upon to perform this work 
of the few men ? Any one can see that the 
supply would greatly exceed the demand. Have 
we not our weak ones and our strong ones in 
both sexes? There is just as much irregularity 
of strength among the men as among the women. 
So that if upon this single requirement the ques- 
tion of female suffrage depends, may not women 
claim the right upon the affirmation and proof 
that there are strong women enough in the coun- 
try to perform their part of what is now termed 
man's work ? In such a case the work would fall 
lightly upon either sex, for where eighty men are 
now employed, only forty would be required,— 
the remaining forty vacancies being filled by forty 
women. Such would be the case, unless man, in 
the selfishness of his nature, finding that woman 
was to share his rights and labors, would allow 
her to fill eighty disagreeable positions, while they 
sought something less laborious. Could some 
of our healthy, robust men be obliged to change 



44 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

tasks with their feeble wives for a few months, 
I doubt if they would be allowed to cast* a ballot 
if physical inability could prevent their so doing ; 
and I am certain of one thing, that after such a 
trial the men so tested would ever afterwards 
advocate female suffrage. 

As we have considered this subject, we have 
endeavored to examine it carefully and faithfully ; 
but we have failed to perceive why, if woman can 
secure certain rights through the ballot, and in no 
other way, suffrage should not be granted her. 
And we have failed, too, to see why, if the ballot 
be given her, she must be called from her present 
sphere of action and new labors placed upon her. 
She is adapted to her present duties, and the same 
duties may harmonize perfectly with the right of 
suffrage. Unless men are anxious to secure the 
position woman now occupies, and take upon 
themselves her labors, let them hold their peace, 
and woman will still perform her woman's work, 
even though the ballot be placed in her hands. 



II. 



The question of mental inability now pre- 
sents itself for our consideration, being the second 
reason given for the refusal of the ballot to 
woman; and the very first query that suggests 
itself is this : are their mental faculties inferior 
to those of man ? I admit that, as a general 
thing, woman has not the education that would 
fit her for the presidential chair of the United 
States. Her intellect has not been cultivated 
sufficiently for such a position of honor and trust ; 
but I may say that as far as speech-making is 
concerned, many of the women of this country 
could surpass the best efforts of our present chief 
magistrate in this direction. In fact, the people 
of this country may be divided into three great 
classes, or ranked in three grades : the first or 
highest; the second or middle; and the third or 
lowest. 

In the first or highest grade, men, on account 
5 (45) 



46 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

of their superior educational advantages, are 
ranked above all women. Their whole time and 
undivided attention are given to the cultivation 
of the faculties of the mind. In short, it becomes 
their professional work to dig down into the pro- 
found subjects and bring up from hidden depths 
truths that- have never greeted human eye. This 
discipline quickens their powers of perception, and 
enables them to gather up that which others have 
passed by unnoticed. 

Women of this grade — the highest caste in so- 
ciety and in intellect — have written some of the 
most beautiful and highly instructive works of 
the day. Yet in spite of this, we must still place 
such women inferior to men, of this same grade, 
in point of intellect! No, I will not say inferior 
in intellect, but rather that her intellect has not 
been equally cultivated with man's. 

In the second or middle class the intellects of 
both sexes are about evenly developed. It is in 
this grade we find our every-day men, whose edu- 
cation has been such as to fit them for business, 
and vocations common among many; while the 
women ranked here are fit companions for intel- 
ligent husbands. Here is equality, at least. 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



47 



But in the lowest caste you will find that the edu- 
cation of woman surpasses that of man, in about 
the same proportion as the education of man 
exceeds that of woman in the first class. Her 
education is limited, of course, but the rate of 
proportion is about the same. For every woman 
who can read will find two men to read to, and 
every woman who understands the simple rules 
of arithmetic will find four men to cipher for, — 
men who can read, perhaps, but cannot go beyond 
that step. One-third of the men in this lowest 
grade, who have become citizens of the United 
States, because they could spell a few words, and 
have, after a great deal of practice, learned to trace 
the letters of their own names, could not tell you 
how much interest would have to be paid on one 
hundred dollars, at six per cent, for eight months. 
They could tell you nothing about interest in any 
way, unless by dint of labor they had acquired a 
few dollars, which they had deposited in some 
bank. 

Just here another direct question may be asked. 
Is every man who is now a citizen as well quali- 
fied to understand a citizen's rights and duties 
as the one-third just mentioned? No, certainly 



48 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

not, for there are men, to-day, enjoying the rights 
and privileges of citizenship who cannot tell the 
first letter of our English alphabet from a Chinese 
hieroglyphic, and who could no more trace the 
lines that would form the letters of their own 
names then they could sketch the beautiful and 
regular features of a Madonna. And now, how is 
such a man to become acquainted with the duties 
and rights of citizens, and the laws which govern 
them ? He must receive his instructions from 
others, and believe them true whether they are or 
not, for he has no means of satisfying himself. If 
all men were honest and upright, it might do for 
one man to depend upon his neighbor's words, 
as to law and its punishments, — the right and 
wrong in party politics ; but this is not the case, 
for honest men are rare, and a man can depend 
upon nothing but his own personal knowledge. 
If one man was to tell his unlearned neighbor 
to soundly thrash a third party, because of some 
offense, — that the law could not reach his case, 
and the man should do as told, — would the penalty- 
attached to the law, broken by such an act, be 
suspended when the criminal was brought to trial, 
because he was told that the law would not cover 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



49 



his case? I think not, for every man must pay 
the penalty of his own crime. 

These ignorant men are the cause of much 
rivalry in our elections, and public men will stoop 
beneath their very manhood in order to secure 
their votes. If by smooth words they can make 
these men believe that their election will be for 
the advancement of their interests, — that they are 
the working man's friends, — the ballots are secured 
simply because they know no better, and cannot 
inform themselves. Smooth words, promises 
made with no intention of keeping them, and 
the free use of intoxicating liquors, furnished by 
the candidate himself, have often bewildered many 
a poor man, and the ballot has been cast; but 
when reason returned, he could only have the 
assurance that he had aided in killing his own 
interests instead of advancing them. 

Thus we see that in but one of the three grades 
of society can woman's intellect be considered 
unequally developed with man's, while in the 
other two grades it is equally so, and exceeds that 
of the male. Any person who does not believe 
that woman's education exceeds that of man in the 
lowest class has but to enter the office of any large 
5* 



50 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

manufacturing establishment, where the employees 
are in the habit of signing the pay-roll, and ex- 
amine the same to see the number of signatures 
or marks affixed, in order to perceive the truth of 
this statement. 

In the first class, woman has gone on with her 
education, cultivating her faculties, just as far as 
educational laws would allow : namely, through a 
seminary course of study. Had man been checked 
in his studies at this very point — been deprived of 
all the advantages and discipline of his college 
course — intellects would have been equally culti- 
vated at least. Superior advantages have placed 
man as woman's superior, in some respects; but 
how many of them, with all their discipline and cul- 
tivation, are fitted for the presidential chair, or even 
offices of far less importance and trust ? Not the 
majority, certainly; and every day we have more 
positive proof that very few of the minority, who 
lay claim to the necessary qualifications, and hold 
offices, are competent to discharge the duties in- 
cumbent upon them. What a record of defaulters, 
absconding with well-filled pockets, and swindlers, 
does the history of our national government, for 
the last few years, furnish us with ! Men whom 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



51 



the people employed to serve their interest, re- 
ceiving for their services liberal remuneration, have 
betrayed the confidence imposed in them, and have 
proved recreant to their trust. 

Among mechanics and laboring men it is an 
exception to the general rule when one swindles 
the employer, and yet they are regarded as poor, 
ignorant men, of whom nothing else might be 
expected. 

But how is it with those men whom educa- 
tion and refinement have placed high in official 
positions ? Why, instead of the swindler being the 
exception, it is the honest man who is rarely found ! 
Look at New York's Tammany Ring, made up of 
Tweeds, Halls, Woodworths, and the like, and ex- 
amine its record. Is it a pleasing one to contem- 
plate ? And yet they are men, — too noble to stoop very 
low. Could woman's administration be worse than 
this, in spite of her ignorance ? Could she, in her 
weakness and insignificance, have wrought greater 
mischief than they have done under the cloak of 
integrity ? Men ought to blush for their fellows, 
and cover their mouths in silence, in view of their 
own weakness, rather than to forever hold up 
woman's inferiority and mental inability to vote. 



52 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

There are women who have wealth at their dis- 
posal, and under their own control ; there are those, 
too, in whose hands the controlling of another's 
fortune has been placed ; but do you ever hear of 
such women ruining themselves in speculation, and 
involving that, also, which was only committed to 
her trust ? But seldom, if ever, and this cannot 
be said of men; and we take this as a proof of her 
competency to fill positions of trust, knowing that 
if she will not speculate with her own funds, or 
those in her trust, she will not touch that which 
does not belong to her, and in which she has no 
interest. 

Defaulters are becoming altogether too com- 
mon in our country. Men, lacking that firm- 
ness and strength of character which enables 
them to touch not that which does not belong 
to them, have yielded to temptation, then fled 
the country, leaving positions, into which other 
men as well qualified will step, with thankful 
hearts, knowing that they can play the part en- 
acted by their predecessors to equally good ad- 
vantage ; while nothing can fill the vacancies 
left in vaults but dollars by the thousands. 

But still worse than this are the cases where 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 53 

employers have, by the apparent security of 
their wealth and position, induced their em- 
ployees to place in their hands the hard-earned 
savings of years. Having secured all within 
their avaricious grasp, they leave the place, to 
be gone for a few days. Soon come rumors, 
and reports of failure, bankruptcy, and, as day 
after day passes without the return of him for 
whom so many are anxiously looking, the poor, 
deluded men and women are forced to believe 
the truth of their ruin. But follow such a man 
for a few years, and what do you behold ? For 
a short time the family live, to all appearances, 
as if they were in very straitened circum- 
stances ; but suddenly the wheel of fortune 
turns for them again, and what does it bring? 
Only to use and light the stolen earnings se- 
cured years before. They were placed in his 
hands for safe-keeping, and surely he was 
true to his trust, for even the depositors them- 
selves could not regain them. Such has been 
a page in the history of many a man's life, but 
it has been turned over hastily, for it was not 
pleasant to look upon. Men speak the truth 
when they say that "they don't know what 



54 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

women would do" ; and although intended as 
sarcasm, the truth has been uttered. 

The majority of the men do not hold office, 
— never expect to hold office, and, in fact, are 
incompetent to fill offices of any trust or im- 
portance. How does this majority compare 
with women as a whole, who are not qualified 
to vote? How does the man who has been 
smuggled into a citizenship, because he could 
neither read nor write, by some leader of one 
political party or the other (for there is deceit in 
both parties), thinking that by so doing he would 
secure for himself another ballot, — how, I ask, 
would such a man compare with the refined 
and gifted Harriet Beecher Stowe ? And yet 
this man is but a specimen of hundreds who go 
to the ballot-boxes yearly, and there, by their 
vote, aid in the governing of the people. They 
are entitled to all the rights and privileges se- 
cured by suffrage, and in this respect are the 
companions and equals of the nation's leaders, 
— men, eligible to office, but, painful to relate, 
on account of ignorance, are incapacitated to 
serve their brothers. And yet, in spite of this 
comparison, — the refinement and education of 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 55 

woman, — men tell us that she is mentally unfit 
to take upon herself the right of suffrage. The 
man uttering such a statement places the lowest, 
vilest, and most ignorant citizen of the United 
States far above our noblest women, in point of 
intellect. By so saying, he admits that in his 
opinion such a man will make a better citizen 
than a woman of the very highest stamp. 

Consider for a moment the female writers of 
the present day, and then tell me, if woman can 
write with the ease, grace, and strength which 
have thus far marked her works, in spite of her 
limited education, what might we expect from her 
pen if four years more of study and discipline 
were added to her store of knowledge already 
acquired? If, in spite of physical and mental 
inability, which unfits woman for the ballot, she 
has gained her present position among writers, 
where would she stand if her physical and men- 
tal powers were so much improved as to render 
her competent in the sight of man, to cast a 
ballot? We might add still more: If woman 
has so nearly reached the standard of male 
writers, in spite of her disadvantages, does it 
not savor a trifle — a little bit — of the superi- 



56 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

ority of her intellectual powers? I admit that 
men excel women somewhat in strength and 
sublimity in their works, but in grace, perspi- 
cuity, and correctness, woman has no equal. 
These very qualities, namely strength and sub- 
limity, in which man excels, have been lost by 
woman in her desire to keep them within the 
rules of correctness. The two cannot go hand 
in hand, and where there is strength there cannot 
be grace and perspicuity. If we strictly adhere 
to the one rule, we lose the results of the other. 
Shakspeare's works are characterized by their 
sublimity and strength, and yet inaccuracies may 
be detected on almost every page. 

The grand secret of woman's success as a writer 
lies in the fact that her fine sensibilities and quick 
perceptions enable her to adapt her work, and the 
style of the same, to the wants of the public as a 
whole ; not to a few of the deep thinkers, but to 
all, she makes herself understood. Men seem to 
overlook this necessity in many of their works, 
and appear to have written for the few who could 
go with them into profound subjects, the investi- 
gations of which have been written in such a 
blind, incomprehensible style, as to lie beyond the 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT, 57 

capacity of the common minds ; for the majority 
of mankind have not tke education that enables 
one to follow closely and understand the reasonings 
of many of our great men. The education of the 
masses is of a medium grade, and of course cannot 
reach up to grasp that which lies beyond their 
reach. Certain men seem to have written for the 
few, and, in fact, few read and understand. In 
this way much of the valuable information, and 
important truth designed for the use and benefit 
of the people, is lost. 

We read extracts from eloquent sermons, we 
hear the high and ennobling sentiments that fall 
from the lips of the good, but never was there a 
more soul-stirring sermon preached in simple 
words than Jean Ingelow discourses in her poem 
entitled " Brothers and A Sermon." She has set 
forth great and important truths in the most clear, 
concise, and impressive manner, — truths for the 
poor as well as the rich, — truths for the multitude. 

But, says one, these women of whom you have 
been writing, and using to illustrate your subject, 
are exceptions instead of the rule; for if this is not 
the case, why are there not more female writers of 
popularity? In reply I would ask, Do all men 

6 



58 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

write? Are all men authors, and popular ones as 
well? Certainly not. Then, is it a reasonable 
question you ask when you make this inquiry? 
Do you demand of her even more than you re- 
ceive from man ? True is it that this field of 
labor is open to all, both male and female, but 
there are obstacles that block up the way to 
woman, while man can go on in the same pursuit 
with but few hinderances. And what are these 
difficulties which cause woman to put from her 
the work which she would do? 

Of the educated women who marry young, — 
before they have had the time to offer the public 
any of their brain-work, — but few, after taking 
such a step, are writers of any consequence. We 
cannot expect to receive from them after marriage 
what we failed in obtaining before that time. 
Numberless cares, coming little by little, crowd in 
upon a young married woman's life; and the pre- 
cious moments which she had hoped to devote 
to those pursuits which are dear to her are now 
spent in devising the most economical manner of 
living. As years pass and the lover's fondness 
gives place to the husband's carelessness, while 
children claim her attention, she has but few 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 59 

opportunities for earnest thought ; and even when 
the rarity of a few moments all alone is hers, 
her own circumstances and present needs are 
ever ready to present themselves before her. 
Because of inactivity one faculty after another 
becomes almost useless, and ere such a woman 
is crowned by woman's true maturity, you would 
scarce recognize in her the talented girl of by- 
gone years. 

Minds of the highest order of intellect and 
genius have thus passed away, without even show- 
ing, by word or act, the secret hidden within the 
brain. Had married cares been kept aloof, for a 
short time, at least, the intellect might have 
charmed the world by its beauty. Many a man 
laughs with scorn at the suggestion of the possi- 
bility of his wife being an authoress, had she the 
necessary time to devote to literary pursuits. He 
thinks her duty is to himself and children only, 
and that the world outside has no claim upon her; 
or, if it has, he takes upon himself the responsi- 
bility of answering that claim. Her world of use- 
fulness is narrowed down to her humdrum daily 
life of service, her husband having laid down as 
the boundary his own views and selfish nature, 



60 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

over which her duty as a wife forbids her pass- 
ing. Oh, that the American people could give 
up this idea of living for self only, — of never living 
outside one's own family ! and that the amount 
of evil and suffering in the world should measure 
the good we would strive to do ! Would that the 
influence of our individual lives might be felt on 
every hand! — this same influence emanating from 
that great centre, a Christ in the heart, and home. 
But here I would ask a question of wealthy 
parents ; does the education you give your 
daughters tend to fit or unfit them for mental 
labor? Let the shallowness of their minds, as 
they return to you from a fashionable school, 
assist you in answering the question. The young 
lady's education has been for the cultivation of 
outward appearances, while the mind, with those 
great essentials for its activity, has been almost 
ignored as needing cultivation. Fashion demands 
the accomplishments, such as a little painting, a 
little music, with just sufficient knowledge of 
French to make the speaker a laughing-stock to 
common-sense listeners. Then, too, she must 
learn those beautiful patterns in worsteds of 
bright colors, for they contrast with complexion, 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 6 1 

and render the effect very striking. Then you 
know the work must be ever close at hand, so as 
to be taken up the moment a caller is announced, 
especially if the visitor should be a gentleman. 
But there is something rather peculiar about this 
work, which is this : it is but seldom, if ever, that 
you see one of those beautiful patterns completed. 
Then, too, she must dance, for how, think you, 
would she spend the hours from ten o'clock in 
the evening until three o'clock the next morning, 
at one of those fashionable parties, if she were not 
versed in this accomplishment? Why, it would 
be utterly impossible for her to endure one of 
these affairs ; and but for the " German " she 
would style the whole tiresome at best. 

These things make up the sum of a fashionable 
education, while if you were to ask a sensible 
question, it would be almost an accident if one 
of this class should answer correctly. 

A short time ago a young lady returned to her 
city home, after several years' absence, during 
which time she had been traveling with her 
father, and, of course, old friends gathered around 
her to welcome her return. Among her callers 
\vas a young lady, just graduated from a fashion- 



62 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

able school, and, during the conversation which 
ensued, allusion was made to the places visited 
by the traveler. She having been delighted with 
the beautiful scenery in Switzerland, spoke of 
Geneva, and of some of its peculiarities. " Yes," 
replied the listener, " it must be delightful there ; 
I have always thought I would like to visit Italy." 
A look of inquiry, blended with astonishment, 
covered the face of her who had seen the Old 
World, but good sense silenced the words clamor- 
ing for utterance. To-day, when allusion is made 
to Geneva, she often smiles in thinking of its 
Italian scenery. 

Of the poorer class, — those who, after a long 
and severe struggle for success, at last claim the 
sheepskin as theirs, — many are, at the moment 
of its attainment, brought face to face with life's 
realities. The school, which has for years been 
their home, and now their Alma Mater, is theirs 
no longer. They find themselves just where they 
had so long hoped to be, — in possession of what 
they had so long toiled for; but in addition to 
this, a truth unthought of is forced upon them, 
namely, that they are now homeless, and, I was 
going to say, almost friendless. Talents of the 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 63 

highest order are theirs, and they are well fitted to 
gain high positions in literary fame. But before 
they can claim laurels they must win them, by 
proving to the world that they have a rightful claim 
to them, and this can only be done by years of 
unremitting toil. Yes, constant and unwearied 
labor, — labor without remuneration; or if more 
fortunate, and remuneration is received, it is al- 
most insignificant on account of its meagreness, 
and is insufficient to supply them with the neces- 
saries of life. Could life be sustained for years with- 
out food, and bodies kept warm without clothes, 
there would be more authoresses than there are 
now. But this is an impossibility, and they are 
compelled to work now, and at some employment 
that will furnish them with food for to-day. Many 
a young woman of this class has been obliged, 
for these very reasons, to put away from her all 
the pet plans and schemes of her life, and join 
in the common drudgery. No one knows what 
struggles were hers at this time, for she longed 
to follow in the path which inclination and de- 
sire mark out before her, and put on paper the 
thoughts welling up within the brain ; but if she 
yields starvation stares her in the face. Were 



64 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

the inclinations followed, days and nights might 
be spent in preparing manuscripts to be for- 
warded to an editor, who seldom, if ever, glances 
at more than the signature or author's name, for 
upon this is based acceptance or rejection. And 
if the publisher chances to accept an article, the 
writer of the same is informed of the fact; but, 
on account of the obscurity of her name, remu- 
neration at that present time would be impossi- 
ble. Here lies the secret; notoriety controls on 
every hand. If many a rejected manuscript had 
borne the signature of Gail Hamilton, the editor 
would have congratulated himself upon the prize 
secured, — the price paid being of little consequence, 
because he knew his readers would be satisfied 
and crave for more. If editors would but reward 
and encourage the first deserving efforts, the 
world might be made richer in pure thoughts 
and noble works, while the weary toiler would 
receive her due. 

Success does not come at the bidding of the 
other sex, for they, too, must labor diligently if 
they would gain popularity; but, however poor 
he may be, man can carry on his literary pur- 
suits if he is so disposed. For this reason, em- 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 65 

ployment of some kind is always ready for man, 
for the field of his labor is large. When he finds 
his resources exhausted, he has but to drop the 
pen for a few weeks, and take up manual labor, 
in order to supply his wants for weeks in the 
future. But how is it with woman? Employ- 
ment is scarce, and if she is fortunate enough to 
secure some situation, the salary is scarce suffi- 
cient to feed and clothe her from day to day, much 
less to provide for future necessities, although 
she toils from morning until night. If ambition 
tempts her to write during the hours which 
nature claims for rest, she herself suffers. Ex- 
perience teaches her, at last, to accept the lot 
which necessity has forced upon her, and she 
puts her high hopes and bright anticipations far 
from her, endeavoring to forget them all. 

To this cause may be attributed the fact of the 
scarcity of female authors. If a woman depends 
upon her own efforts for support, she must direct 
the same so as to bring her immediate assist- 
ance.- Encourage these first efforts, I say, and there 
will soon be proof of the fact that you have stim- 
ulated some mind to deeper thought and more 
earnest labor. A large field of toil which is 



66 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

already open to woman will be made accessible 
to her, and the obstacles that lie between her and 
success will be removed in many cases. 

Examine with me the plan of woman's educa- 
tion if you please, and what is the result ? At 
an early age children of both sexes are sent to 
our free public schools, where, for a few years, 
they are instructed together in the same course 
of study; but at the end of this time there is a 
change. As early as the age of fourteen, girls are 
sent away to our boarding-schools and seminaries, 
where they are expected to go through a pre- 
scribed course of study. Work after work is 
crowded in upon a young lady's, or rather a girl's, 
mind, long before she has attained the maturity 
necessary for a correct understanding of the same; 
for people seem to expect that a young lady 
should graduate as young as eighteen certainly. 
But people make a great mistake in regard to this 
idea, and I know such to be a fact, which I can 
prove from my own experience. Although I 
did not enter upon my school work until my 
eighteenth year, — entering one year in advance, — 
still, I was just learning how to study to some 
advantage when I was turned out a graduate. I 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 67 

found that my mind was not sufficiently matured 
to comprehend my work, especially the studies 
of the last year; and if I could go over the 
same studies again, I would not enter upon the 
regular course before the age of twenty-one or 
two years. 

We frequently hear the statement made that the 
female mind attains its maturity before that of the 
male, but I am not so certain of its truth as to 
accept it as my belief; I believe the fact of woman's 
education being received and completed at such 
an early age is the cause of the premature devel- 
opment. Her mind receives all the cultivation and 
discipline it is to receive long before it is in a con- 
dition to be so crowded, and of course when cul- 
tivation ceases the growth will be imperceptible. 
In short, woman needs a preparatory course as 
much as, if not more than, man. Compare the 
women who graduate after the age of twenty- 
three years with those of the age of eighteen, and 
then tell me if there is not some truth in what I 
write, and of sufficient strength for me to build 
my belief upon. Oh, that young ladies had the 
independence necessary to carry them above pub- 
lic opinion in this respect, so that their school-life 



68 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

should be completed at just that age that would 
be for their own good, intellectually ! 

During the three years' course prescribed for 
woman, into which are crowded, — in addition to 
studies, — music, painting, and the like, what are 
young men doing ? Why, while women are going 
through the entire routine, men are just preparing 
themselves for their college work. Three years is 
the regular time allotted for this preparation ; and 
if this time is fully occupied, man is just com- 
mencing his education when woman has com- 
pleted the same. Can it be expected that woman's 
intellect of three years' real cultivation will be 
equally developed with man's, of seven years' dis- 
cipline? Not when reason is used, most surely. 
Allow woman equal educational advantages before 
inequality of intellects is mentioned. 

But they tell us that woman's constitution 
will not admit of her going through with the 
discipline of a college course, if it will not carry 
her through a seminary life. I cannot believe 
this statement, in spite of the apparent truth 
connected with it. Grant woman the privilege 
of a college education, and among the female 
students you will find more strong ones, for the 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 69 

very reason that she will not be forced over 
so much ground in such a short time ; and 
this is one of the causes of so many of our 
young ladies returning from school with ruined 
constitutions. A girl, with any ambition, com- 
prehends the amount of work she is to go 
through with in a given time, and applies her- 
self accordingly. The result is soon manifest 
in the sunken eyes and languia step, for she 
has been taxed beyond her strength, and her 
constitution has been slowly undermined by the 
devoting of time to study which should have 
been spent in healthful exercise. If any young 
lady enters a boarding-school strong and healthy, 
it is her own fault if she leaves it a weak, puny 
thing. If she would first learn how to study, 
then mark out for herself a system by which 
she must abide, allowing her a certain number 
of hours for study, — an hour for retiring as well 
as arising, — then follow out the plan, no matter 
how many years are required to complete the 
course, — taking sufficient healthful exercise, — 
her school-life would not prove an injury to 
her. The great essentials to good health are 
wholesome food, warm and proper clothing, and 

7 



yo AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

healthful exercise. If these essentials are strictly- 
observed, a girl's constitution will be strength- 
ened rather than weakened. 

One great fault in our boarding-schools is 
this : young girls are allowed to take upon 
themselves too many studies, and are not re- 
quired to take sufficient exercise. It is a fact 
worthy of notice, that a principal is seldom 
called upon to inform a young lady that the 
term's work which she has planned for herself 
is less than school-rules require; his visits are 
made more frequently for reasons in direct op- 
position to those just expressed, — that is, on 
account of her having gone beyond the require- 
ments of the school. With the young men, how- 
ever, it is almost impossible to induce them to 
perform their allotted tasks. Such has been 
proved to be the case in many of our semi- 
naries, where young ladies and gentlemen are 
educated together, and where solid truths and 
information are sought for rather than fashion- 
able accomplishments. 

The whole nervous system is so delicately 
interwoven, and the different parts so nicely 
adjusted to each other, and there is such a 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. yi 

sympathy existing between the physical sys- 
tem and the nervous system, that if we over- 
tax the one the other will certainly suffer. 
If the mental faculties be too severely dealt 
with the body is prostrated; and if the task 
we place upon the body for its performance be 
too heavy, or if we disobey the rules upon which 
its health depends, the mind, as well as the body, 
will soon give proof of the error. Health and 
study go hand in hand, the one promoting the 
other as long as natural laws are followed and 
obeyed. But students become so engaged in 
their studies that they forget that while the 
faculties are being cultivated, and fed with 
proper mental food, the body needs, and must 
have, the exercise that is necessary to its life and 
tends to its maturity. The Cultivation of these 
two parts of the system must go on together, and 
when students understand this truth, making 
the observance of the same an every-day prac- 
tice, then, and not until then, can they boast 
of strong constitutions. I do not claim that a 
young girl, with a frail, delicate organism, can 
enter upon a regular course of study and com- 
plete the same, returning home stronger than 



72 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

she was before entering school ; nor do I be- 
lieve it just in the parents of such a girl to 
claim that school-life ruined their daughter's 
health, when the ruin referred to is but the re- 
sult of their own fashionable dissipation. Chil- 
dren of parents who have disobeyed natural 
laws, and have exerted every effort to satisfy 
the requirements of fashion, cannot expect the 
natural health and strength that should be 
theirs, for the sins of the parents are visited 
upon the children of the third and fourth gen- 
eration. 

The American people are slowly but surely 
degenerating, both physically and mentally. We 
have but to look the country over in order to 
perceive that the rising generation is much be- 
low the stature of the present, and we are forced 
to believe that their intellects are proportionally 
feebler. If fashionable follies increase in coming 
years with the rapidity of their increase in the 
past, a short time will find this country inhabited 
by a race of dwarfed idiots. As we look about 
and consider the advantages which, at the pres- 
ent time, are placed within the reach of every 
young man, we are surprised at the rarity of 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



73 



strong minds and great, noble men. And we 
have often wondered what greatness and might 
the strong men of the early history of this country 
might have attained, intellectually, had present 
privileges been theirs. The more one thinks of 
this, the more convinced he is of the truth of 
what I have just written. 

I maintain, further, that if woman was allowed 
the privileges of a college course, both sexes 
would be mutually benefited. This subject has 
been so thoroughly discussed that it would be 
useless for me to attempt to throw any ad- 
ditional light upon the matter, or to present 
any new ideas. It is natural for the two sexes 
to seek each other's society, and, at the student's 
age, it is natural, too, for them to seek to please 
each other. We all know that when young 
men are brought together in a college, freed 
from all restraints, the natural impetuosity of 
their natures carries them beyond the bounds 
of propriety, and they commit acts which ren- 
ders the name of college students notorious. I 
believe this evil would be remedied to a certain 
degree by allowing the two sexes to pursue 
their studies in the same college. If female re- 



74 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

straint was still felt, and constantly thrown 
about these young men, they would leave 
college nobler men, better satisfied with them- 
selves, and better prepared for the life work 
before them. I do believe in this way many 
of the present evils might be prevented. In 
class they would be stimulated to more earnest 
labor and study by woman's presence, and she 
herself would be benefited. She would be taught 
self-reliance, and in her conversation would be 
led into deep and profound thought, that would 
give strength and firmness to her mind. Each 
would excite the other to higher attainments, 
young men might be saved from ruin, and the 
world receive, as the result, noble, whole-souled 
men and deep-thinking women. Give woman 
a college education, and then compare intellects. 

This very mental inability that men talk about 
so much, the ability that they assert woman lacks, 
necessary to the right of suffrage and the holding 
of office, ought to bring comfort and consolation 
to the suffering, alarmed, and anxious ones of the 
sterner sex. Should the ballot at last be given 
her, they need not fret and worry lest their wives 
are called to take the executive chair,, for I can 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 75 

assure the poor dear creatures that their wives 
are not at all anxious about them, for they know, 
full well, that such will never be the fate of their 
husbands. But one person can occupy the posi- 
tion of President at one time, so every man cannot 
fill that place, nor yet every man's wife. There is 
not the least bit of danger of an incompetent 
woman being placed in any office or position of 
trust, though (strange to relate of the educated 
and noble men) men have been known to place 
incompetent men in some of the highest positions 
of trust. So let the husband gain comfort and 
consolation from the thought that if he has an 
educated wife, there is no danger of her being 
called into public life ; for slight defects, never 
noticed in a fellow-man, if seen in her would be 
magnified into mountains, and if there were no 
defects observed they could be easily manufac- 
tured. Men seem to expect of women something 
higher than that which she possesses. She is but 
human, and her life cannot be without some proofs 
of her humanity. But men seem to forget this, 
and what is scarcely noticed in a brother man, if 
found in woman, is regarded as something fearful, 
nay, something terrible. Men are not angels, 



y6 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

neither are women angels, for this reason : we are 
never quite well pleased when we see a man 
living a life of devotion to the evil one himself, 
but always finding fault with woman — maybe 
his wife — because she is not an angel, wings 
and all. 

God created the world and man, and pro- 
nounced his work good. Then He brought the 
beasts of the field and the birds unto man to be 
named ; but among them all there was none 
found to be a fit companion — a helpmeet — for 
Adam. From the rib taken from the side of man, 
was woman created and brought to him, and he 
called her Eve. Was the rib of itself the woman? 
No; it was a lifeless, useless thing until God 
endowed it with life, as was the dust of which 
Adam was created until the breath of life made 
it a living thing. What I mean by life is that 
which, when taken from man, leaves him but 
clay, — mind, reason, and the soul itself. Man can 
claim no superiority of intellect if that claim 
be based from the beginning, for the life- breath 
of the great Creator was, to each, life, the same ; 
and it is a question in my mind whether God 
gives to one much and another little. I am 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. jj 

inclined to believe that He designed all men 
should be alike in mental capacity, at the time 
of the creation, and that laws disobeyed by 
parents, and persons themselves, have, in reality, 
caused this ruin, and are daily swelling the tide 
of misery. 

God created woman for a helpmeet, — not a 
slave, a servant, but one who could counsel, 
assist, and suggest. 

There seems to be an undefinable something 
within us that causes us to seek the companion- 
ship of equals. We see it in early childhood, 
and in the sports which make up the hours of 
this happy period of life, for the little ones are 
ever looking for playmates among equals. This 
desire grows with the child, and when it attains its 
maturity it does not leave it. The learned man 
does not seek the idiot for a companion, for he 
cannot find in his society that which satisfies his 
nature. Only with equals are these longings 
silenced. A learned man, if a gentleman, can 
make himself pleasant and agreeable in the so- 
ciety of inferiors, those far beneath him in every 
respect. He can listen to their ignorant talk, 
and, to all appearances, be satisfied ; but this is 



?$ AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

but the result of politeness, though sometimes 
there may be some personal interest at stake. 
The great secret of any one's popularity in life 
is the ability to adapt one's self to whatever society 
he may be called to frequent. Does not this go 
to prove that there must have been equality in 
our first parents ? 

Our moral nature is ever reaching out for some- 
thing that can be found alone in things above, 
instead of below, or even on a level with it. 

All these desires must have been implanted in 
Adam, for he could find no companion among 
the animals : they were all beneath him ; there 
was no helpmeet, and not until the woman was 
brought did he find this desire satisfied. If God 
had with the rib taken a small part of man's 
life, then might man claim superiority over 
woman; but such was not the case. A part of 
the body was taken, it is true ; while life — all that 
we mean by life — came from the hand of God 
himself. May we not believe that the rib was 
taken from man to prove to us that all there is 
earthly of woman was more refined than man? 
The dust out of which the man was created had 
been purified by God's breath, and from part 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



79 



of this refined dust — Adam's body — was woman 
formed. I ask, may woman not claim her refined 
nature and the quickness of her perceptions from 
the creation? We fail to see in what respect 
man may claim superiority of intellect from the 
creation ; and certainly if he cannot claim it at 
the creation, there is no just grounds for such a 
claim. 

It is true he may claim superior advantages, but 
that is all, in justice to woman, he can seize upon, 
at least, until woman is equally educated with him. 

Mental inability is but an excuse for the re- 
fusal of the ballot, and serves as a cover under 
which are hidden the true reasons for the hesi- 
tancy there is in granting woman that which is 
nothing more than her right. 



III. 

The next objection which has been presented 
by man, in opposition to woman's receiving the 
ballot, is based upon the ground of the degrada- 
tion of woman, which, they claim, must follow if 
suffrage be granted her; that if she is allowed 
the privilege of voting at the polls, she will lose 
all her womanly delicacy and dignity, and become 
equal with those who frequent those places. But 
who frequent the polls? Men. Until this objec- 
tion was made, we had always supposed, from what 
man said, that woman must needs be elevated 
before she could be considered man's equal. But 
now we perceive our mistake; for, in the last ob- 
jection made, man himself admits that woman is 
more than his equal, and urges the withholding 
of the ballot from her lest she be degraded. This 
is a new phase of the matter; and in their eager- 
ness to keep from woman that which is her right, 
they have made a statement which we supposed 
nothing could induce them to make. Man makes 
(80) 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 8 1 

himself unfit for woman to associate with ; while, 
if woman had made the charge, it would have 
been resented as an insult. 

Will the ballot degrade woman? As the ques- 
tion presents itself, claiming our attention and 
thought, we fail, at first sight, to see any reason 
for such a result, or even the supposition of such 
a case. Is this assertion to be accepted by the 
people as the positive consequence that must 
follow? Men of the higher class are necessarily 
brought in contact daily with men of the lower 
class. And do we perceive any visible change in 
either ? The same is true of women. The wives 
of rich men are constantly thrown into the society 
of those beneath them, — even the wives and 
daughters of these men of the lower class. And 
are they degraded ? Nay, rather the lower class 
is raised than the higher degraded. If the differ- 
ent classes of people are thrown together daily, 
can election-day produce such a ruinous effect ? 
Are men willing to admit that a woman who is 
almost continually with other women far below 
her, through the entire year, and is not degraded, 
will immediately leave the throne of her woman- 
hood the moment she is thrown into their society 
.8 



82 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

at the polls ? In almost every other respect man 
seems to feel that his presence alone ought to 
satisfy any woman, — she being expected to realize 
the honor so conferred upon her. There is some 
mystery concealed under this objection and ad- 
mission, which we hope to be able to unravel. 

One says if women could go to the polls by 
themselves, there depositing their ballots, he 
would not feel like opposing the giving to them 
of the right of suffrage. But this will not, in all 
probability, be the case. They must cast their 
votes with the men. And such being the case, 
the polls can be no proper place for women. Will 
some one, who knows just what woman's sphere 
is, tell us where the dividing line lies, — the very 
moment when this degradation is to commence? 
At the present time women attend political meet- 
ings all through the campaign, even when the 
excitement is at its very highest pitch, and no one 
has given a thought to the possibility of her 
being degraded. Yet she is, at such times, in the 
very company of those who frequent the polls, 
and a crowd ten times larger, and of course pro- 
portionally rougher than collects about the ballot- 
box at any one time during election-day, and still 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 83 

she is not degraded. In private she can converse 
with friends upon the issues of the day with an 
understanding that would surprise some of the 
party leaders. Her quick perception enables her 
to take in much at one glimpse of the subject; and 
while many a man is puzzling his brain, striving 
to get an idea of the matter, woman has the whole 
within her grasp. She can reason clearly upon 
political matters; and very often her arguments 
are powerfully conclusive. And yet if she takes 
one step more, and places her vote within the 
ballot-box, all this is lost in the degradation which 
must follow. But why are the polls what they 
are? Has woman had a hand and voice in 
changing into a bedlam a place which, next to 
God's house of worship, should be characterized 
by quietness, as well as solemn, earnest thought? 
No. Man, who does all things well and right, has 
wrought this mischief; and woman may well re- 
joice that she has had no part in the work. Her 
skirts are clear of this ruin ; for man himself has 
destroyed the peace, and rendered the places of 
voting places of degradation. And now she feels 
called upon to do what she can toward their ele- 
vation as well as renovation. I have often won- 



84 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

dered how so many of our refined men, who are 
constantly setting forth the fearful results which 
must come upon woman if she accepts the ballot 
and vileness of the polls, can frequent such places 
themselves; how that anxiety which he mani- 
fests, lest woman be contaminated, is not exercised 
on his own account. Man is not perfect by any 
means; and is just as susceptible to influences 
thrown about him, either for good or evil, as 
woman, and perhaps more easily led about. The 
secret of all this lies in the fact that he has inter- 
ests at stake. The rum drinking, the swearing, 
and the free fights which occur almost every elec- 
tion-day are not occasioned by the polls, in and 
of themselves. And yet men would have us 
consider such as the case. The ballot-boxes of 
themselves do not quarrel, but men fight over 
their contents. Having done all they could to 
reason their political faith into their companions 
of an opposite doctrine, and used every available 
argument to no purpose, they bring to bear the 
last and most convincing proof when they attempt 
to instill, by the outward application of force in the 
region of the eyes, that which persuasion would 
not induce them to accept. But few men will en- 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 85 

gage in this nose-splitting, eye-blackening, ear- 
biting operation, which is nothing more than 
wholesale butchery of human beings, when free 
from the influence of liquor. The man who, on 
election-day, causes the circulation of ardent 
spirits, in order to secure ballots for himself, is ten 
times more contemptible than he who, while 
under the crazing influence of that imbibed, 
strikes down a fellow-being. The stigma of the 
act is upon the one who, while not himself, com- 
mitted a crime ; while he who gave to him that 
which destroyed his reason for the time draws 
the cloak of his apparent goodness and purity 
closely about him, lest he soil his garments in 
touching him whom he himself made vile. The 
candidate, conscious of his own incapacity to fill 
the orifice he seeks, knows that but few, compara- 
tively speaking, will vote for him. For this 
reason liquor is furnished by him for the purpose 
of blinding man's judgment; and when this is 
accomplished, the remainder of the work is easily 
wrought out, and he is elected. Do not for a 
moment suppose that I approve of the course pur- 
sued by the one who drinks. It is altogether too 
fearful for approval, and can only be looked upon 
8* 



86 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

as a proof of man's weakness. If every man 
would resist temptation honest men would be 
elected to office. Scorn the man — the candidate 
— who proffers to you the intoxicating cup, for 
when he stoops to this you may, with safety, re- 
gard him as unworthy of your ballot. Oh, could 
we penetrate beneath the external of many a 
man's life, we would shrink from the corruptness 
that we would behold! 

It is not to be wondered at that they shrink 
from meeting woman at the ballot-boxes; and 
such is the case, and partly the reason of the last 
objection made, for she has long since understood 
the mystery of many a man's life. Why will men 
stoop so low as to forget their own manhood, at the 
same time destroying woman's confidence in them? 
For a little worldly honor they will sacrifice their 
true nobility. Money will buy some men's votes, 
and whisky will secure those of others. Success 
demands that leaders make themselves favorites 
among a class of men in whose society they would 
scorn — yes, blush — to be seen at noontide : but 
darkness is the covering of much wickedness. At 
night the lowest places of vileness and vice are 
visited .by candidates, and hours are spent in the 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 87 

company of those who frequent such places. 
Money is circulated freely, and enough is given 
to those present to provide for the satisfying of 
their thirst on the morrow, — election-day. The 
impression goes out among those poor, deluded 
creatures and eye-witnesses that the candidate is a 
" fine fellow," generous, full of fun, — one who will 
further their interests and will not be afraid to have 
a good time with them : and for him are their votes 
cast. But what is the result ? Are their interests 
advanced ? Ah, no ! Everything is in direct 
opposition to their expectations, and they find the 
office-holder a very different man from the office- 
seeker. Ignorance and whisky blinded their eyes 
to their own advancement, and not until it was too 
late did they realize the step they had taken. 
Should necessity compel one of these very men 
to ask aid of this "fine fellow" after his election, 
he would be turned away empty-handed. If every 
man was man enough to go to the polls, mind his 
own business, and cast his vote uncontrolled by 
any one, and then return to his labors, there 
would be no bruised faces or broken bones. 

No wonder men who can so easily secure and 
control votes object to female suffrage, for they 



S8 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

know full well that woman would not be so easily- 
influenced. This is the secret, — the mystery of the 
whole thing explained, — for they know woman 
would not sell her ballot. And yet these degvaded 
men, — not degraded places, — who are not fit for 
woman to associate with, are still considered the 
protectors of woman, — controlling her interests, 
and doing all they can, as they claim, for her wel- 
fare, while at the same time many of them are so 
drunk that they cannot perceive their own. Per- 
haps this is just and right, and in accordance with 
man's ideas of right, but we fail to reconcile it 
to the suggestions of our consciences. It may be 
that woman's interests are of so little consequence 
that when men are, by liquor, unfitted to attend to 
their own, they are then in a condition to legislate 
in her behalf as her protectors. No wonder woman 
has been aroused from her long silence, in view of 
the matter as it now stands, for had justice been done 
her, there would have been no such cry raised. 

Is it surprising that unjust laws are imposed 
upon us as the result of such elections and legisla- 
tions as are yearly occurring? Man may well 
blush, if blush he can, at the work he has 
wrought. 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 89 

Still, I maintain that woman need not of a ne- 
cessity be degraded if she be allowed to share all 
rights equally with man. When we look at the 
matter candidly, we see at once that wives are 
only to be thrown into the society of their hus- 
bands, daughters into the society of fathers, and 
sisters into the society of brothers. If they are not 
degraded by being in such society daily, is.it rea- 
sonable to expect that such would be the result 
were they to go in the same company to the polls ? 
If Prof. Stowe and wife are there, so will Pat Maloy 
and wife. Harriet Beecher Stowe will not seek 
Pat Maloy as a companion, nor will Mrs. Maloy 
chat familiarly with Prof. Stowe. Every woman 
who has a gentleman for a husband, father, or 
brother, will go with him to the ballot-box, there 
depositing her ballot, according to the example 
set by her companion. But if a woman has a 
rowdy for a husband, would it be strange if she 
should be the means, in many a case, of leading 
him home before trouble ensued? Such might be 
the case if she were a true woman, and her hus- 
band loved her as he should. There will be cases 
perhaps when women will quarrel and wrangle 
with each other, or even where a wife will quarrel 



9 o AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

with her husband, but this will be nothing more 
than they do at home continually. None will 
quarrel here who never quarrel at home; so if 
this does occur, you may be certain that it is but 
a repetition of their every-day life. Nor will any 
woman associate with those beneath her, unless 
she is in the habit of doing so at home. True, 
dispositions and natures will be set forth in a light 
in view of which it will be impossible to mistake 
them. This has been the means of testing many 
a man, showing the vileness and shallowness of 
his heart, while previously he had represented 
himself to woman as spotless in the eyes of the 
world. 

I ask every true, honest man if his conduct in 
regard to woman and her rights has been such 
as to merit her confidence and complete trust? 
Though calling themselves woman's protectors, 
in what, I ask, have they protected her ? Have 
they considered her rights, either public or pri- 
vate ? Woman in New York City can answer for 
the thousands. In no place in all the wide world 
has woman been so grossly injured as in this 
place. 

Man alone is responsible for this uprising among 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



91 



the women of the United States. The neglected 
rights and the wrongs which have been heaped 
up against her are crying out, and she at last asks 
for the ballot, in order that she may protect her- 
self. It is claimed — and justly, too — that every 
husband who is interested in the advancement of 
his family's welfare will cast a ballot in favor of 
the law which shall protect the same. In every 
sense is his claim to protector well founded, and 
if the law which he approved is not adopted the 
wife can rest secure in the assurance that until the 
strong arm of him whom she leans upon shall be 
paralyzed by death she will have a defender. 

But has every woman a husband, or has every 
woman who has a husband a protector? We 
must confess the truth ; and if the truth be told, 
we shall have to answer this question in the nega- 
tive. If man's arm was stretched out, and woman 
could lean upon it, having confidence that her 
trust would not be betrayed, how gladly would 
she avail herself of the privilege ! Such is not the 
case, however, and the only way a woman can 
care for herself is to be placed where she can 
control her own interests. 

The absurdity of the statement of the degrada- 



9 2 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



tion which must follow female suffrage is visible 
at the very outset, and we cannot but believe that 
the objection is but the conception of some party- 
leaders, who are somewhat fearful of the conse- 
quence upon their own election. It can be noth- 
ing more, for, as we have said, members of the 
same family will only associate together, — that is, 
if every member votes. If men are willing to 
admit that in their society their own wives are 
degraded, then we will admit that the casting of 
the ballot will degrade woman. 

It is very evident that some means must be 
provided in order that woman's sphere of em- 
ployment may be widened, so that she can the 
better provide for herself. Man has constantly 
been encroaching upon woman's labor, until now 
there is but little left that she can do that can be 
called honorable. Instead of engaging in that 
which shall exhibit the strength of their sex, they 
prefer to stand behind counters measuring ribbon 
by the yard or selling needles and pins. Can this 
be considerd as man's work? And they have 
gone still further, for we find them engaged in the 
millinery, and even the dressmaking, business. 

Where is the pride of man ? Man, did I say ? 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



93 



The person who is satisfied with such a life and 
such a business does not merit the name of man. 
This light employment, which woman could per- 
form with better satisfaction to the purchasers at 
least, has been almost entirely appropriated by 
the opposite sex. Enter our fancy stores, and 
what do you behold in many of them? Men 
standing behind the counter, exhibiting ladies' 
ready-made under-garments with all the self-con- 
fidence imaginable. I often wonder, when listen- 
ing to the almost constant discussion of woman's 
sphere, if there is not such a thing as man's sphere; 
and if there is such a place, is there not a possi- 
bility of his getting beyond the boundary line ? 
When a man occupies the position above re- 
ferred to, it seems as though he had stepped from 
his sphere and passed into a position properly 
belonging to woman's sphere; but in matters of 
taxation he has still a voice, and has the privilege 
of casting his ballot. If men are going to make 
such an ado about woman's rights, and her sphere 
of action, there should be a law established by 
which a man, when he takes upon himself 
woman's work, should be deprived of suffrage, 
and which would endow a woman with this same 

9 



94 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



right if she were called upon to take a position 
before occupied by man, or should perform man's 
labor. There is no woman, who has an ordinary 
amount of modesty, but shrinks from entering 
such stores for the purpose of purchasing. Such 
work is no more man's sphere than the selling of 
gentlemen's clothing is woman's sphere. The 
idea of man selling articles for ladies' use has 
always been ridiculous to me ; and when I have 
listened to their urging the purchase of an article 
by a customer, with the assurance, "It is just what 
you want," I have been almost unable to suppress 
an audible expression of my contempt. 

We cannot fail to see how many avenues, by 
which a woman might secure an honest liveli- 
hood, have been closed to her on account of their 
being already filled with males. The few ways of 
obtaining support, which are available to her, fur- 
nish such meagre resources that it is almost 
impossible for a woman to feed and clothe her- 
self respectably. The amount of work performed 
may be equal to that accomplished by man, but 
is her salary equally large? Not by any means; 
although the work may be just the same in kind, 
— equally well performed, as that of man, — the 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



95 



remuneration is not more than half as large, 
and sometimes not as much as that. Is this just? 
Has a woman no cause to ask for rights in this 
respect ? Is it unreasonable for her to ask that 
she receive the same amount of money for an 
equal amount of work performed? 

To me it is not so much a matter of surprise 
that there are so many fallen women in our large 
cities; and could we have the opportunity of read- 
ing a few pages from the life-history of many a 
one, — of the wrongs to which they have been sub- 
jected, — we would be astonished. We have but 
little charity, we who, — through the goodness and 
kindness of God, not on account of anything in 
ourselves, — have been kept from such misery and 
suffering. We have never been placed in their 
circumstances ; we have never had starvation 
gnawing our vitals ; we have not had insults 
thrown in our faces, without any means of resent- 
ing them, and have not met and battled with all 
these things. What right, I ask, have we to judge 
them ? Are we better than they ? If we are, ought 
we to boast of it as the result of our own strength ? 
And even now, should adversity place us in 
poverty, and trials crowd in upon us, how do we 



96 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

know we would do any differently from those we 
censure ? We may think we would, but not until 
the trial-test is made can we be sure of the result. 
I feel like being careful, very careful, how I judge; 
for I am but human, — like them, — and experience 
alone can prove to me whether I am stronger than 
they. " Oh for the rarity of Christian charity under 
the sun!" was the expression of one who saw and 
realized the lack of true Christian kindness ; and 
how true is the expression, especially in regard to 
woman! Man may sin, fall to the lowest depths 
of degradation, and yet have all his wickedness 
concealed from public view ; while woman, if she 
takes one step astray, can find no kind heart who 
will aid her to retrieve herself. Every one knows 
of her sin, the finger of scorn is ever uplifted; and 
instead of encouraging words from those who pro- 
fess charity toward all men, she has been thrust 
aside, and forced back into the pit from which she 
would extricate herself. Oh, I tell you there will 
come a day when the great book shall be opened, 
and we shall be judged ; and against how many of 
us shall the charge of want of Christian charity 
be made ! How many will arise against us, 
saying, " We asked you to aid us to regain the path 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



97 



of rectitude and virtue, but you would not, and 
forced us back into the old path of wickedness" ! 
Men can walk our streets apparently enveloped 
in the garb of sanctity, which is used to conceal 
lives of vice and debauchery. Women and men 
fawn about them, panting for a word of recog- 
nition, while the pitiful objects they meet on the 
streets, who are only the victims of such men, are 
spurned with a look of contempt. But there is a 
just Being who sees all things; and the time is 
coming when it shall be measured unto them even 
as they have meted unto others. 

What is the history of many a woman's life but 
a history of wrongs heaped upon her by man, — of 
her ruin wrought by man ? In a city, surrounded 
by wealth and grandeur, it would seem as though 
it were impossible for one to suffer so much. But 
the misery everywhere is immeasurable : for God 
seems to have been forgotten. I am almost in- 
clined to believe in the vision of the Quaker 
minister, seen in 1805, which has thus far been 
verified, and the present condition of the country 
strengthens my belief that in time the whole will 
be realized. As the different scenes in the vision 
passed before his gaze, he saw distinctly the past 

9* 



9 8 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

history (which was then the future) of America 
portrayed. Among them was the dissension in 
the different churches and the forming of new 
bodies. After this, he saw the late war, brought 
upon the people to chasten them. The people 
not having received the chastening as they should, 
the future, has in store for them a monarchical 
form of government and an established religion. 
This is not to continue forever, but until men are 
purified and God's hand recognized in all their 
ways. There is so much wickedness abroad, that 
it seems as though some fearful calamity must 
come upon us before we shall be just what we 
ought to be. 

^ A young girl, driven by necessity to provide for 
herself, seeks employment. Up and down the 
streets she wanders, stopping here and stopping 
there soliciting work, only to be turned away. At 
last a bundle of sewing is obtained, for which she 
is to receive but a pittance, — a bundle of shirts it 
may be perhaps, for the making of which she is 
to receive eight cents a piece. With fingers a 
little unused to sewing, she commences her task; 
and, do the best she may, work the fastest she can, 
at the close of the long, weary day she finds but 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



99 



two of the twelve completed, and only sixteen 
cents earned. Out of this she must pay her room- 
rent and furnish herself with food and clothes. 
Does the task look to be an easy one ? The work 
is at last completed, and with an anxious heart 
she wends her way to the place from which the 
work was obtained, anticipating the payment of 
ninety-six cents for a week of constant labor. 
But what is her disappointment when she is in- 
formed, after her work has been examined, that 
it is not as well done as they expected, and they 
cannot pay her! Another bundle is offered her, 
however, in order that she may try and im- 
prove, while gross insults are offered by him 
whom many call a gentleman. If this bundle of 
work could be watched, it would be found that 
they received just the same amount for it as for 
one they pronounced acceptable, thus putting so 
much money into their own pockets. Weeks of 
struggling for bread follow, while her weary, 
anxious face is known to those who are ever on 
the watch for victims. Soon she knows that her 
steps are followed, and she does all she can to 
avoid and blind, to no effect. The physical sys- 
tem at last gives way, and starvation is wasting 



100 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

her life away. Oh, what would she give for some 
bread, — only a mouthful ! The destroyer, who 
has never relaxed his vigilance, seizes upon her 
necessity, and, ere she is aware of it, her ruin is 
wrought. One downward step, and then another, 
until her feet become accustomed to the way 
which years before she would have shrunk from. 
Is she so much to blame as he who watched her 
every act and made her what she is? Had a 
worthy hire been paid her she never would have 
fallen so low. Men, in their desire to obtain 
riches, take advantage of those in necessity, and 
pay them literally nothing for the work they per- 
form ; while, when they throw these goods upon 
the market, it is at a profit which is astonishing to 
those who know something of the price they paid 
for labor. Much is gathered into their coffers 
which, in truth, belongs to the weary toilers. 

Oh, the suffering and misery there is in the 
world occasioned by this insatiable thirst for 
wealth ! — and the wrongs that are committed in 
order that riches may be secured ! 

Is there no cause for woman to ask redress in 
this respect? Has man, as her protector, done 
all he could to shield her from these wrongs ? 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. ioi 

Wc fear not, for it is man who is ever party to 
them. ^/ 

If a woman's education fits her for a school- 
teacher, she, of course, endeavors to secure a sit- 
uation in such a capacity. If she will consent to 
teach in a district school, at three dollars per 
week, and " board 'round," she can do so, pro- 
vided some young school-girl cannot be obtained 
who will take the situation at two dollars per 
week. Any way, you know, to keep the school- 
house open, and any one to keep the children to- 
gether, and see that no mischief befalls them. 

The great qualification required in teachers, by 
our country school committees, is the willing- 
ness to work for a very small salary. Intellect 
and governing powers are minor considerations of 
but little importance. What is the result of this 
plan? Why, women who, on account of their 
ability as teachers, can command large salaries, 
are leaving the Eastern States and going West, 
where true merit and competency are required. 
Their labors are justly rewarded, and education 
is advanced. Unless there is a reform in the New 
England States in this respect, the Western 
country, of only a few years' growth, compara- 



102 AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 

tively speaking, will surpass them in educational 
advantages and acquirements. We cannot blame 
women for going where their worth will be appre- 
ciated and rewarded ; and if we would keep them 
at home we must be willing to pay them what 
their labor commands. In this field of labor, the 
difference in the salaries paid the two sexes is 
also visible, and it calls as loudly for reform as in 
other branches of labor in which the two sexes 
are employed. 

Within a short time Congress has taken one 
step toward woman's rights, and that was done 
when the law was passed which entitles female 
clerks to the same salary as that paid the male 
clerks, if the same amount of work is accom- 
plished. It also entitles her to any vacancy she 
is found competent to fill, upon examination. 
This law controls none but the government em- 
ployees, however, while it should be extended over 
the entire country. Of course, there are a great 
many employed in Washington, both male and 
female, and the salaries paid are quite large ; but 
those in authority have filled these buildings with 
females of such a character that no true woman, at 
the present time, has any disposition to seek such 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



103 



a situation. There are those who have claims upon 
the government for these places, but their claims 
have been disregarded, and others, of a very dif- 
ferent character, are receiving favors from the 
hands of officials. There are widows and orphans 
all over the land, who sacrificed husbands and 
fathers upon their country's altar, and since their 
loss have done the best they could to support 
themselves. And it seems to me that their claims 
upon the government for employment should be 
the first considered. Men of influence having 
favorites use every effort to obtain for them the 
rights which belong to others. It is well that 
" reform" is talked of, for in the only place where 
woman's interests have been advanced corrup- 
tion reigns supreme. Let reformation commence 
among the leaders, — among those who are consid- 
ered as the exponents of American morality, — and 
their followers will soon be like them. 

We believe, too, the employment of women, as 
clerks in positions of importance and trust, will 
cause a proportional decrease of defaulters and 
swindlers, — that is, if she receives the same salary 
that men receive. The pay she now receives is so 
small, in comparison with that which men receive, 



104 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



were she to receive the same pay it would seem to 
her like a small fortune. Her wants would be 
so much more bountifully supplied than they 
had previously been, she would have no disposi- 
tion to meddle with that which does not belong 
to her. Her extravagance has been a subject 
about which men have ever been ready to talk, 
until, at the present time, every woman is looked 
upon as possessing this failing. There are women 
whose extravagance is marked, but all women are 
not alike ; yet men, it would seem, consider them 
so. By the few are the many measured. Could 
the expenses incurred by a man, during the year, 
be compared with those of a woman, in the same 
standing in society, we are inclined to believe that 
extravagance might be set down as an attribute of 
the opposite sex from the one who is now con- 
sidered as possessing it. 

In considering this subject of female suffrage, 
we have endeavored to look at the question in the 
light of woman's right to the same. We cannot 
see how any one can deny this right, when we 
consider her as an individual acting independently 
for herself. There are matters in which woman 
needs and demands certain rights, and if she can 



AS SHE WOULD HAVE IT. 



05 



obtain them in no other way save through the 
ballot cast by her own hand, then I say, give it to 
her. If such be the case, and the ballot is her 
only relief, the fact of man's hesitancy in placing 
it within her hand is only proof positive that he 
has wronged her, and is not willing to take the 
first step toward making reparation. 

A woman ought to have rights in regard to 
property equal with man. A wife ought to have 
the right to sign a deed individually, or the wife's 
name should be required with the husband's, as 
well as the husband's with that of the wife, in 
order to make an article valid. 

The injustice of woman being deprived of the 
power to care for her own interests is becoming 
more apparent each succeeding day of her life; 
and if this power can be attained by suffrage only, 
then do not longer continue her disabilities by 
refusing to her that which is to advance her in- 
terests. Hasten the time, if it be possible, by any 
act of yours, oh, man, when equal rights, equal 
privileges, and equal protection shall characterize 
both sexes of the American people. 



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Gideons Rock. A Novel. By Katherine Saun- 

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as George Eliot" — New York Even- 
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" In many respects one of the jpest 
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Hester Kirton. A Novel. By Katherine S. Mac- 

Quoid, author of " Rookstone," " A Bad Beginning," 

" Chesterford," etc. A new edition. i6mo. Ornamented 

cloth. $1 25. 

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Thrown Together. A Story. By Florence Mont- 

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has given us another charming story 
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many graphically touched terms of 
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ence." — Londoti AtheneEum. 

•'A delightful story, founded upon 
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thread of gold in it upon which are 
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prosy, unattractive lecturing upon re- 
ligious subjects. A good, true and 
earnest life is depicted, full of hope 
and longing, and of happy fruition. 
One cannot read this book without 
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heart." — Washington Daily Chron- 
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" The characters are drawn with a 
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Why Did He Not Die ? or, The Child from the 

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By Mrs. A. L. Wister, translator of " Old Mam'selle's Se 

i2mo. Fine cloth. $1.75. 

perusal and approval than ' Only i 
Girl ;' and ' Why Did He Not Die ■*• 
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cret," " Gold Elsie," etc. 

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body reads. She certainly may be 
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Aytoun. A Roma?ice. 

Paper cover. 40 cents. 

"The fabric is thoroughly wrought 
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North A merican. 



By Emily T. Read. %vo, 



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Old Song and New. A Volume of Poems. By 



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Tinted paper. Extra cloth. $2. 



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while much vies with our best living 
writers. Strength and beauty, scholar- 
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best, because on the whole the best ! and assure honorable distinction to 

sustained and the most thoughtful."— j the writer. Such poetry is in no danger 

Baltimore Gazette. of becoming too abundant." — Phila- 

"In this volume there is workman- ; delphia North American. 

Margaree. A Poem. By Hampden Masson, 

l6mo. Extra cloth. 75 cents. 



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